Customer Reviews

The Fortress of Glass (Crown of the Isles, Book 1)

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

A couple of years ago, I'd been given a copy of Terry Brooks' newest book for Christmas, and my mother asked me if I liked the author's work. I answered, honestly, that I'd liked him better when he'd been writing novels, instead of trilogies.

And so it is with "The Fortress of Glass". I've enjoyed all of the books in "The Lord of the Isles" series -- admitttedly, some more than others -- but now Mr. Drake has decided to end the series with a trilogy. So where previous volumes have ended with the main action of the book largely resolved, this one ends with the characters still very much in a dangerous and complicated situation which will not be resolved until the next book comes out. Sometime next year, one presumes.

This in and of itself would not be so bad, except that "Fortress" is also a surprisingly weak offering in many ways. While all of the "Lord of the Isles" have had a certain formulaic quality to them, with -- for example -- the heroes always being split up and sent off only to reunite for the story's climax, this time there is an unpleasant repetition of events in "Mistress of the Catacombs", with Garric being sent off on a quest that takes him away from ruling the Isles in a time of crisis. And I'm probably going to have Sharina fans howling for my blood, but seeing her take his place just isn't very interesting -- she doesn't *do* anything. Then too, the two characters who are killed off in the book's climax were also killed in "Master of the Cauldron" (although that time they were brought back, which will probably not happen this time ...) which seriously diminishes the impact of that scene.

Given this weakness, maybe it's a good thing that Mr. Drake has decided to bring this series to an end ...

Well, things are getting (getting? they haven't been that way already?) really sticky for Prince Garric and his friends and supporters.

The saga of the Isles is winding up, with a true trilogy (to be known as The Crown of the Isles) of which this is book one. As has happened before, Garric and company are separated by wizardry, and face different problems as they go forward with their lives and efforts to save the Isles from Chaos - but instead of essentially resolving the problems presented in the adventure, being reunited at the climax of the book, and then having another one in the next book - they are brought back together, but not in the Isles, and with new problems to face as they have to deal with a new environment.

The book is complete in itself, and an excellent read (like all of Dave's material), but it cries for the next two books and a (I hope, i hope) a triumphant conclusion in which the Good Guys win and the Isles have a thousand years of peace and unity before the forces rise again (not that they will really have peace, or at least nothing but peace - after all, the isles are inhabited by people and Dave knows all too well that people seem to insist on breaking whatever peace they manage).

A good book, one anyone who has read the earlier books in the series will want for sure - and if you haven't already met and come to know and like and admire Garric, Ilna, Liane, and company, here is your chance to remedy that. Note - and I hope this ain't a spoiler - you will see some folks you like and care about fall out of the story in this book, but whether forever or not, I don't know. The next two books in the trilogy will tell that tale. And they aren't written yet (THE NEW LAND, Book Two is being written now).

Okay, this is an unusual book, the way it's written. The story is good, variety of characters yes, and it had my interest...up until about 3/4 of the way in. It seemed to have a theme of adding more complexity with each passing chapter..to the point where it got so complex (without serving a purpose), it started not to make sense anymore...or was no longer believable.
I prefer Robert Jordan, or Frank Herbert (Dune series), or Lord of the Rings series, or Lorna Freeman, or Greg Keyes (Briar King).

The movement from the 'Lord of the Isles' series to 'The Crown of the Isles' was smooth with the only problem being the series appears to have been put on hold with this publication. The characters and the plots are only becomming more involved and deeper with each book. I want More.

I was very disappointed by this book. 3/4 through and it got so tedious that I put the book away. Characters are flat, they tend to fit into a fantasy stereotype (strong man, foppish noble, gallant leader, etc) and have one defining flaw/personality trait that is repeated over and over. There is no character development, no interesting interactions between the characters, and no real challenges in the plot. I am an avid Robert Jordan fan, and though some dislike his slow writing, the intricacy of his novels far surpass Drake's writing.

Heir to the throne of the Isles, Prince Garric travels on a long journey to obtain the sworn allegiance to him by the local rulers; any dissenters will be eliminated. Currently he and his small entourage reach First Atara ruled by local monarch King Cervoran; that is until he recently died and was replaced by Prince Protas.

Garric begins the ceremony to honor the late ruler and to affirm Protas as the new local king. However, wizardry strikes and Garric vanishes as a meteor arrives and Cervoran returns to life. While Garric struggles to survive in another realm, The Green Woman from her Fortress of Glass mounts an assault with lethal magical creatures that leaves the locals and Garric's party in jeopardy.

The first entry in the third and final trilogy The Crown of the Isles is an exciting and spellbinding sorcery fantasy. The action-packed story line insures that Garric and his crewmates seem real though they employ or are impacted by magic. The Green Woman poses a real threat and the champion's vanishing adds to the feel that though this novel is part of the Lord of the Isles series THE FORTRESS OF GLASS is a brisk new look at old friends.

Harriet Klausner

Excellent reading. I have followed the Crown Of Stars series and this is just as good. I reccomend this book.

As has been mentioned in previous reviews this book is part of a series. The cover mentions that it is part 1 of The Crown of the Isles but does not mention that is is part of a series. I have not read the previous books but while this one might technically stand alone the frequent allusions to previous books are rather annoying when you have not read the books.

I am setting this book aside and starting the series from the beginning. Hopefully the series will be worthwhile and I will return to this one later!

Amazon requires a number of stars to be selected. I put 4 because that is the current average. I did not read much of the book so I don't have a fair opinion on its quality as part of a series. As a stand alone book, I did not like it but that does not seem to be a fair test to me.

As a long time fan of Mr Duncan's work, I looked forward to this new volume which continues his Lord of the Isles trilogy.
The new adventures of the original group continues with verve and vigour, with all the twists and turns and clever plotting we have come to expect, whilst the characters mature and develop in new and unexpected ways.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and look forward to the next in the series.